LETTER: VA must move veterans' services forward

The VA must move forward instead of backward. Whoever made the proposal to move medical services to Nashville VA and psychiatric services to Murfreesboro takes the VA back into the 1970s when that was exactly how it was. It did not work then and will not work now. Other places besides patient care services must be looked at by management so veterans' care will not be compromised.

I am a retired RN with 41 years' service with the VA in Murfreesboro and worked 22 years in the ER. Back in the '70s, Murfreesboro VA provided psychiatric and long-term care services and Nashville VA provided medical and surgical services. We had a small medical unit here, but if our patients required more than we could provide they were transferred to Nashville VA, treated, then returned to us. We held their beds for them because Nashville wanted to send them back to us as soon as they could. Frequently treatment was delayed due to the availability of a bed in Nashville. It was common knowledge that our patients were not priority at Nashville VA.

In the '80s, Murfreesboro VA opened medical, surgical, ICU and emergency services. Surgical services now are very limited with major surgical intervention taking place at Nashville. Emergency, medical and ICU services remain available at Murfreesboro and all the beds stay full most of the time. While I was working in the ER we were constantly searching for beds for patients to be admitted. Neither hospital can close down beds without compromising the care of the veterans. Both facilities need to be equipped to provide quality care for any problem the veteran presents. Veterans who travel long distances to seek care at the VA should not be asked to travel on down the interstate 30 more miles to receive care. They should receive care at the VA closest to their home.

The proposal should be shelved or placed in file 13. VA officials should look elsewhere to cut their budget without cutting patient services. We have two VA hospitals with dedicated staff who want to care for our veterans. The United States has promised these wounded warriors that we would take care of them. We need to do that. Move forward VA, not backward.

Kathy Helton, RN

East Clark Boulevard

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LETTER: VA must move veterans' services forward

The VA must move forward instead of backward. Whoever made the proposal to move medical services to Nashville VA and psychiatric services to Murfreesboro takes the VA back into the 1970s when that